The Cliff Ernst Collection Hits Mecum Kissimmee

Collections like this simply do not exist anymore. Hidden away for decades, the Cliff Ernst Collection represents a lifetime of hunting down the rarest American muscle cars ever built. Make no mistake, Ernst didn’t just buy cars; he curated a museum-grade assembly of high-performance history, with a specific obsession for anything Don Yenko touched. When these machines cross the block at Mecum Kissimmee 2026, it will likely be the last time they ever appear together in one room.

1969 Chevrolet Yenko Nova

Known as “My Piggy Bank” during its racing days in Pennsylvania, this Fathom Green Nova is a legitimate dragstrip terror. It is one of only 38 produced and retains its L72 427/450-horsepower engine. The car is a Camaro Hi-Performance certified example that Ernst kept as a crown jewel of Chevrolet engineering.

1969 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro (LeMans Blue)

This LeMans Blue coupe represents the quintessential Yenko spec. It features the L72 427 engine, a four-speed M20 transmission, and the crucial 4.10 Positraction rearend. Ernst bought this car back in May 1987, ensuring it remained preserved in its factory configuration for nearly 40 years.

1969 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro (Hugger Orange)

While most buyers opted for manuals, this Hugger Orange example is one of only 30 Yenko Camaros fitted with an M40 automatic transmission. It features the COPO 9737 Sports Car Conversion Package and was previously owned by noted historian Vince Emme before joining the Ernst collection in 1987.

1969 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro (Rallye Green)

Ernst held this Rallye Green coupe longer than almost any other car in the group, having acquired it in 1986. One of 201 produced, it pairs the L72 427 V8 with a four-speed manual. It remains a documented, certified example of the peak of the muscle car wars.

1969 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro (Daytona Yellow)

This striking coupe is one of only 34 produced in Daytona Yellow. It retains its original BE-code 12-bolt rearend and L72 powerplant. Before landing in the Ernst collection in 1988, this legendary Chevy spent time on display at the National Corvette Museum.

1969 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro (Fathom Green)

Another rarity for the shift-averse, this Fathom Green coupe is one of the 30 automatic-equipped cars. It features the full COPO 9737 package, power steering, and the special ducted hood. Like its siblings, it comes with full documentation and registry listings.

1969 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro Prototype

The very first 1969 Yenko Camaro Prototype Pilot Test Car, finished in Olympic Gold. Drag racer Ed Hedrick piloted this exact machine to an 11.94-second quarter-mile for Super Stock and Drag Illustrated in 1969. It retains its original engine, body, and interior, standing as a singular piece of automotive history.

The Cliff Ernst Collection: Once-In-A-Lifetime Opportunity

The Cliff Ernst Collection is not just a gathering of metal; it is a time capsule from the golden era of American horsepower. Seeing this many documented, high-level Yenkos offered from a single owner is an event that likely won’t happen again. For collectors, Saturday, January 17, isn’t just an auction; it is a chance to inherit a legacy.